Southampton complete the signing of Steven Caulker

Premier League side Southampton have signed Steven Caulker on a season long loan deal from Queens Park Rangers

Following their bitter relegation into the Championship, Queens Park Rangers were expected to lose a host of their star players as a consequence of the harsh financial realities that comes with playing in the second tier of English football.

Therefore, it has been no surprise whatsoever in seeing the duo of Charlie Austin and Matt Phillips being incessantly linked with a move away from Loftus Road and although the two players remain in the ranks of the club, they are widely expected to leave before the end of the transfer window.

Another player who had been touted to depart Loftus Road was Steven Caulker but the defender had insisted that he was not looking for a move away from QPR.

However in a swift turn of events, Caulker has now joined Southampton on a season long loan deal. Southampton were in the market to sign a new central defender after Florin Gardos was ruled out with a long term injury and manager Ronald Koeman had insisted that reinforcing his backline would be a priority.

Now Koeman has move swiftly in his search for a new centre back and has managed to secure the services of Caulker.

Caulker joins Southampton on a season long loan deal for a fee of around £1.2million and the Saints do have the option of turning the deal into a permanent one at the end of the season for an additional £8million.

Confirming the arrival of Caulker, Southampton released the following statement on their official website, “Steven Caulker has joined Southampton on loan for the 2015/16 season, the club is delighted to confirm.

“The defender moves from Queens Park Rangers, who he joined last summer after spells with Swansea and Cardiff. The 23-year-old Caulker will join up with the squad today, and has been allocated the number 26 shirt.”

Even Caulker was delighted to be able to complete his move to Southampton and stated that the move is a great opportunity to prove himself following two consecutive relegations.

Caulker said, “I’m very pleased and very excited. This club has done fantastically well, especially over the last two years. To now join this club and to be a part of it for this year is something I’ve proud of.

“As soon as I got the phone call to say a fee was agreed with Southampton, I was delighted to get the opportunity to come and play under a great manager. This club is an ambitious one, so to be part of this is a great opportunity – it’s a chance for me to prove myself. I’m very excited for the season ahead.”

Despite his young age, Caulker has already amassed a lot of experience in the Premier League playing for the likes of Swansea City, Tottenham Hotspur, Cardiff City and Queens Park Rangers, and he could certainly prove to be a very good signing for the Saints as well.